We live in the foothills of Dragon Peak. My name is Srain, a mercenary with gray hair.
“Um, a gladiator means…”
“What, you don’t know?”
No, I do know. Toris, Astel’s attendant, is precisely that gladiator. He’s a gladiator with black arms who serves the Cat Duke, renowned throughout the Demon Race’s Country. They say Toris can freely wield magic swords and divine swords with the black arms he created with his own ability, and he’s becoming quite famous among the demons.
The gladiators, including Toris, fight risking their lives daily as entertainment for the demons.
However, it’s said that not many deaths occur in human-versus-human battles. Rather, battles like human-versus-fierce beasts tend to result in fatalities due to a lack of holding back or misjudging the end, as Toris told me once.
But aren’t gladiators, who are essentially demon entertainment, basically slaves?
Then, why is this gray-haired demon, who introduced himself as Srain, a gladiator?
And a mercenary, too?
Srain seemed to mistake my contemplation for ignorance about gladiators, and kindly explained.
“To put it simply, gladiators are entertainment products for demons. Their job is to fight to the death in the arena and entertain the demon audience.”
Yes, I knew that. Nodding inwardly, I listened to Srain’s explanation.
“Basically, it’s slaves who fight matches, but in the country of His Majesty the Bewitching Eyes Demon Lord, even demons compete as gladiators.”
“What!?”
The Bewitching Eyes Demon Lord!? Not only I but everyone reacted to the existence of a Demon Lord I had never heard of.
“What is it, you guys don’t know His Majesty the Bewitching Eyes Demon Lord? Well then, I’ll have to explain about him too. But first, about gladiators. As you’ve probably guessed, I used to be a gladiator in the country of His Majesty the Bewitching Eyes Demon Lord, who has territory in the west of this country.”
“You say ‘used to be,’ so it’s a story from the past?”
“You have a good intuition. Yes, I was a gladiator about two hundred years ago.”
“That’s ancient history!”
The lifespan of demons, like that of the Divine Race, is about five hundred years, right?
So, Srain, who still looks young, must have been a gladiator when he was much younger?
“But hey, why would someone as strong as you risk their life as demon entertainment?”
Srain smiled wryly at Slaton’s question.
“I wasn’t born with this magic sword or strong from the start. I gained my abilities by honing my skills as a gladiator.”
We nodded in understanding.
“But why become a gladiator? If your goal was to gain ability, there seem to be many other ways to do so.”
“Reese, you ask good questions. I like it.”
“Hahaha, it’s an honor to be liked by such a strong demon.”
While we were talking, Lord Reed returned after hunting a fawn. Lord Reed didn’t seem interested in Srain’s story and began preparing dinner without joining our circle. I’ll thank him later.
“Demons who become gladiators always have some ambition, purpose, or reason. I, too, had a purpose.”
“What kind of purpose?” When I asked, Srain told me with a laugh.
“I was a slave in my childhood. The condition for my freedom was to rise to the highest rank as a gladiator.”
“Ehh!? You were a slave, even though you’re a demon!?”
We recoiled in surprise at Srain’s unexpected confession. We often hear stories of humans and other races being captured by demons and becoming slaves. But demons can also become slaves!?
Srain smiled with satisfaction at our astonished reactions.
“Yes. Even demons become slaves. That’s how it is in the country of His Majesty the Bewitching Eyes Demon Lord. And I was a slave, too. A slave of His Majesty the Bewitching Eyes Demon Lord.”
“Wh-wh-what!”
“It’s good that your surprise shows on your face. It’s interesting to see.”
“Am I… being complimented? Never mind me. Srain, tell us more. In the country of His Majesty the Bewitching Eyes Demon Lord, do demons become slaves to His Majesty?”
The Demon Lord reigns at the pinnacle of the demon country with overwhelming power. Does that mean the Demon Lord can enslave the demons who are his subjects? Or do other demons enslave other demons besides the Demon Lord?
To my question, Srain replied, “The latter.”
“In that country, there’s still a system where higher-ranking demons enslave lower-ranking demons.”
“And you were a slave of His Majesty the Demon Lord?”
“Slanel, that’s right. I was a slave of His Majesty the Bewitching Eyes Demon Lord, and a gladiator. And the condition for my freedom was to become the strongest gladiator.”
“So, you reached the highest position as a gladiator about two hundred years ago and were freed?”
Srain nodded at Listea’s words.
“After that, as you can see.”
“You’ve been wandering through battlefields all over the place as a mercenary?”
Srain smiled wryly again. It seems Srain is a battle maniac through and through.
“This magic sword was a gift from His Majesty the Bewitching Eyes Demon Lord. Pretty neat, right?”
“He was exceptionally strong, surpassing the surrounding soldiers, and wielded a fearsome magic sword. That was the reason, wasn’t it?”
It’s no wonder ordinary demons couldn’t defeat Srain, the strongest gladiator. Moreover, the magic sword he wielded was a gift from the Demon Lord, so its power is understandable.
Srain, seemingly pleased that we were both surprised and asking so many questions, began to talk volubly about his past.
From the time he could remember, Srain was already a slave of the Bewitching Eyes Demon Lord. He lived and existed as a slave. Then, he was made a gladiator as a spectacle for his subordinates and desperately fought to survive.
“Of course, I lost sometimes too. I’ve killed countless demons, humans, and even divine beings.”
Sometimes, divine beings were hunted and brought into the arena. Srain sharpened his abilities by fighting against such opponents. And then, he rose to the very top as a gladiator in the country of the Bewitching Eyes Demon Lord.
“The reason I saved you all is also connected to that past. Didn’t I say? Until I became the strongest gladiator, I had lost and nearly died many times. That’s when I was saved.”
Saying this, Srain looked towards Lady Mine and Anna-sama, who were like shooting stars.
“I am still grateful to the miko. That’s why I would never attack a miko, and I would help if one was being attacked.”
“It’s thanks to Lady Mine and Anna-sama that we were saved.”
“Even in the Demon Race’s Country, the miko fulfilled her duties justly, didn’t she?”
“Even in that terrifying Demon Race’s Country, a miko is still a miko.”
Lady Mine and Anna-sama nodded with deep emotion.
“Alright, I understand you. Well then, let’s change the subject. What kind of civil war is happening in this country?”
In response to Slaton’s question, Srain drew his magic sword.
“Huh! What do you mean!?” To our surprised faces, Srain said:
“Slanel, fight me. If you win, I’ll tell you.”
“No way!”
Slaton’s eyes widened in surprise. Slaton, as the partner of a great hero, possesses first-class combat skill. However, Srain is a great demon who rose to the highest rank of gladiator. Winning against Srain would mean becoming the strongest gladiator in the Demon Race’s Country. Of course, Srain is not currently active, and the skill of modern gladiators is unknown. Nevertheless, defeating Srain, who was once the strongest and is still young, signifies that and indicates the level of difficulty.
“Don’t worry, it’s just a light sparring session before dinner. I’m not going to risk your life against a human.”
“What did you say!? You just dismissed me, a human, as inferior! Fine, I’ll show you my power.”
“Hahaha, how amusing!”
With each biting remark, Slaton, filled with fighting spirit, took out his blue long sword and moved away from our circle with Srain. The two faced each other.
“Sigh, the troublemakers have increased to three.”
“Reese, that doesn’t include me, does it? It’s Lord Reed, right?”
“Mistake, it’s four.”
“How mean!”
Listea, resigned, declared herself the witness, with a wry smile.
“…Grumble…”
And then.
Unfortunately, or rather, the result was predictable from the start.
Slaton was defeated by Srain without being able to land a single blow. Of course, neither of them went all out. Nevertheless, when swords clash, one can gauge the skill level between top-tier fighters. Consequently, Slaton was dejected.
“Come on, Slarin, don’t be so down. Your opponent is a high-ranking demon. You did well, actually.”
“I’m not Slarin, I’m Slanel!”
His partner, Listea, doted on Slaton, comforting him. Seeing this, Srain honestly remarked, “You two are close.”
Srain is actually quite a nice person, isn’t he? He helped us because the miko were included in our group. But other than that, he doesn’t get angry even when we talk to him casually or when Slaton speaks boastfully. Moreover, he genuinely seemed to go easy on Slaton during their spar, as Slaton, who was thoroughly defeated, wasn’t seriously injured. Perhaps, having lived as a slave since childhood, he understands the position and hardships of the weak? Well, when it comes to life-or-death combat, his common sense goes out the window, and he becomes the worst kind of battle maniac.
“Alright, dinner is ready!”
“Lord Reed, we’ve been waiting!”
Our stomachs rumbling, we pounced on the stewed young deer meat that Lord Reed had prepared. And then, we all said in unison:
“Lord Reed, it has no flavor!”
As expected of Lord Reed. It seems he forgot to add the seasonings! Later, Lady Mine and Anna-sama, with wry smiles, corrected the seasoning.
“If Srain continues to be our bodyguard, traveling in the Demon Race’s Country should be easy, right?”
While savoring the now-delicious stew, Slaton said this. I, too, would be grateful if that were the case, and everyone’s gaze turned to Srain. Bathed in attention, Srain grinned wryly while happily chewing on the meat.
“I’d like to travel with interesting friends like you, but have you forgotten? I’m a mercenary, and I was on the regular army side in that battlefield. If I don’t get paid appropriately for my work, I’ll be at a significant loss.”
“That’s right!”
“Hahaha, Erl, you’re really amusing.”
After wolfing down the remaining fawn stew in his bowl, Srain wiped his mouth and stood up.
“Thanks for the meal, it was delicious. So, I’m leaving… You guys should head south. Near the southern border, human slaves have revolted and are causing a civil war.”
“The slaves!?”
“And they seem to be fighting back more effectively than expected. If you’re interested, you should investigate how they’re doing it.”
What could he mean? As we tilted our heads, Srain turned on his heel.
“Other interesting civil wars are happening all over the place, but the most critical situation is in the south. I also plan to wreak havoc in the south after I’ve accomplished my goal. I hope we meet again then.”
With those words, Srain disappeared into the depths of the forest as the night veiled descended.
